Atascadero -> Pacific Grove -> San Francisco
Jul 30th, 2014, 07:27 PM
#43
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Thank you dwzemens for the information. You are the perfect age for this area. I don't see anything about Pismo anymore so I'm hopeful you have cut that out of your plans. Personally, the place feels like the Jersey Shore to me so I just don't get the appeal. Of course, you have seen from this forum that lots of people don't like Morro Bay. Personally, I like Morro. It's funky and unique and I like that. It's also California's last remaining actual fishing town. Take it for what it is...blue collar, hard working people trying to make a living using tourism. Nothing wrong with that.
When you get to Atascadero your first night, it would be great if you can eat dinner in Paso (maybe do this before you get to ATown), but if not, Atascadero has a few options. Fig Good Food is really good. Also, if you just need a pizza cause you're too tired, Fattes is what you want. In Paso, my favorite place is Thomas Hill Organics, but La Coschesha is awesome too. Paso is so easy to get around. Just park somewhere and walk. It's a tiny town with some great restaurants and shops. The menus are all posted outside so just choose based on that.
For wine tasting the next day, I would suggest the following:
Daou - seriously gorgeous winery and great photo ops. Negatives: $20 tasting fees (unheard of around here), but at least they are waived if you buy a bottle, which you should. You can also share a tasting.
Shale Oak - beautiful winery and very eco concious.
Halter Ranch - every wine is better than the rest.
Tablas Creek - not to be missed if you want to experience the whole GSM experience of Paso.
I have a bunch more to recommend but I hesitate to do so cause it tends to overwhelm people.
I definitely suggest getting snacks at Trader Joe's (Vineyard Drive, Templeton, CA) an taking those to the wineries. You will need snacks and they don't mind if you bring your own. Don't forget water.
Tune in to 92.5 The Krush for music on your radio.
When you get to Atascadero your first night, it would be great if you can eat dinner in Paso (maybe do this before you get to ATown), but if not, Atascadero has a few options. Fig Good Food is really good. Also, if you just need a pizza cause you're too tired, Fattes is what you want. In Paso, my favorite place is Thomas Hill Organics, but La Coschesha is awesome too. Paso is so easy to get around. Just park somewhere and walk. It's a tiny town with some great restaurants and shops. The menus are all posted outside so just choose based on that.
For wine tasting the next day, I would suggest the following:
Daou - seriously gorgeous winery and great photo ops. Negatives: $20 tasting fees (unheard of around here), but at least they are waived if you buy a bottle, which you should. You can also share a tasting.
Shale Oak - beautiful winery and very eco concious.
Halter Ranch - every wine is better than the rest.
Tablas Creek - not to be missed if you want to experience the whole GSM experience of Paso.
I have a bunch more to recommend but I hesitate to do so cause it tends to overwhelm people.
I definitely suggest getting snacks at Trader Joe's (Vineyard Drive, Templeton, CA) an taking those to the wineries. You will need snacks and they don't mind if you bring your own. Don't forget water.
Tune in to 92.5 The Krush for music on your radio.
Jul 30th, 2014, 07:55 PM
#44
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Personally, the place feels like the Jersey Shore to me so I just don't get the appeal.
I feel exactly the same way about Pismo.
In addition to Thomas Hill Organics, we also like Artisan and Bistro Laurent in Paso. I like Fig Good Food too but it's more of a tiny hole in the wall type place.
It's been unusually warm and sunny so far this summer, at least up in Carmel.
I feel exactly the same way about Pismo.
In addition to Thomas Hill Organics, we also like Artisan and Bistro Laurent in Paso. I like Fig Good Food too but it's more of a tiny hole in the wall type place.
It's been unusually warm and sunny so far this summer, at least up in Carmel.
Jul 31st, 2014, 05:33 AM
#47
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Seconding Tablas Creek winery recommendation... My favorite in the area!
Austin traveler, I'm dating myself now but does York Mountain still produce wine and sell anywhere? That was another hidden jewel !
Austin traveler, I'm dating myself now but does York Mountain still produce wine and sell anywhere? That was another hidden jewel !
Jul 31st, 2014, 10:49 AM
#49
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Great Plans!
A couple of suggestions based on your itinerary for your second day (which I like) and to maximize your driving/sightseeing:
1. Once you’re on Vineyard Drive heading toward the wine trail you will actually be crossing highway 46 which is the route to Cambria. I would take that route instead of back-tracking to highway 41, and spend more time in Cambria than Morro Bay as it is much more interesting.
2. Coming south from Cambria on highway 1 you will end up in Morro Bay and that would makes a good second stop. You can then return on highway 41 to Atascadero. That will make for a nice full day.
3. More wine tasting recommendations: When you’re on Vineyard Drive just before highway 46 there is Turley winery. I regularly travel up from South County just to purchase their Turley Ueberroth Vineyard Zinfandel. They don’t serve it as it is a special occasion wine. You can taste others though and they serve Syrah soaked Toscana cheese from Trader Joe’s at no charge.
http://www.winebid.com/BuyWine/Item/4761264
4. When you cross the 46, and up a few miles you will come to Opolo which is always a fun visit and they are very friendly. My favorite there is their Rhapsody which they sometimes serve. You may not see that and their Fusion on the menu but ask to taste them both. Tasting is $10 and they provide homemade sausage free of charge. They also have outdoor pizza ovens of you want a pizza and sit with a glass.
5. JUSTIN VINEYARDS ISOSCELES MERITAGE is another favorite special occasion wine but again you cannot taste it. The tasting room is now in a large cavern they constructed to store their barrels. I have wowed a number of people from back east with these two wines.
http://www.winebid.com/BuyWine/Item/4761264
6. A second driving option would be to head south over the Cuesta grade from Atascadero into San Luis Obispo. Higuera Street is fun to walk and shop and the Mission is downtown along a creek.
From SLO you can then take Santa Rosa Street which will turn into highway 1 to Morro Bay. Then drive north to Cambria. The ocean scenery along Cayucos is very pretty. Then return on the 46 from Cambria into Paso Robles.
This route provides a little more ‘fun’ in my opinion and makes Cambria your final destination. Wine tasting ends however at 5 so you would miss that (unless you hit a couple on your first day) but you could pick up a few bottles on your way out on the 46 the third day.
Best!
A couple of suggestions based on your itinerary for your second day (which I like) and to maximize your driving/sightseeing:
1. Once you’re on Vineyard Drive heading toward the wine trail you will actually be crossing highway 46 which is the route to Cambria. I would take that route instead of back-tracking to highway 41, and spend more time in Cambria than Morro Bay as it is much more interesting.
2. Coming south from Cambria on highway 1 you will end up in Morro Bay and that would makes a good second stop. You can then return on highway 41 to Atascadero. That will make for a nice full day.
3. More wine tasting recommendations: When you’re on Vineyard Drive just before highway 46 there is Turley winery. I regularly travel up from South County just to purchase their Turley Ueberroth Vineyard Zinfandel. They don’t serve it as it is a special occasion wine. You can taste others though and they serve Syrah soaked Toscana cheese from Trader Joe’s at no charge.
http://www.winebid.com/BuyWine/Item/4761264
4. When you cross the 46, and up a few miles you will come to Opolo which is always a fun visit and they are very friendly. My favorite there is their Rhapsody which they sometimes serve. You may not see that and their Fusion on the menu but ask to taste them both. Tasting is $10 and they provide homemade sausage free of charge. They also have outdoor pizza ovens of you want a pizza and sit with a glass.
5. JUSTIN VINEYARDS ISOSCELES MERITAGE is another favorite special occasion wine but again you cannot taste it. The tasting room is now in a large cavern they constructed to store their barrels. I have wowed a number of people from back east with these two wines.
http://www.winebid.com/BuyWine/Item/4761264
6. A second driving option would be to head south over the Cuesta grade from Atascadero into San Luis Obispo. Higuera Street is fun to walk and shop and the Mission is downtown along a creek.
From SLO you can then take Santa Rosa Street which will turn into highway 1 to Morro Bay. Then drive north to Cambria. The ocean scenery along Cayucos is very pretty. Then return on the 46 from Cambria into Paso Robles.
This route provides a little more ‘fun’ in my opinion and makes Cambria your final destination. Wine tasting ends however at 5 so you would miss that (unless you hit a couple on your first day) but you could pick up a few bottles on your way out on the 46 the third day.
Best!
Jul 31st, 2014, 10:56 AM
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Jul 31st, 2014, 11:50 AM
#52
You should find all kinds of freebie maps about the Paso Robles wineries, probably at your hotel and the tourist info stands.
One of the websites with info is here and you can download it as well.
http://www.pasowine.com/wineries/map.php
Various wine trails
http://www.pasowine.com/wineries/wine-trails.php
List of wineries. Clickable links with hours and fees.
http://www.pasowine.com/wineries/
Unfortunately the days of free wine tastings are long gone, although often the tasting fee is rebated if you make a purchase.
One of the websites with info is here and you can download it as well.
http://www.pasowine.com/wineries/map.php
Various wine trails
http://www.pasowine.com/wineries/wine-trails.php
List of wineries. Clickable links with hours and fees.
http://www.pasowine.com/wineries/
Unfortunately the days of free wine tastings are long gone, although often the tasting fee is rebated if you make a purchase.
Jul 31st, 2014, 12:30 PM
#53
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bear900... your suggestions are all super but I have a question about Cambria.
What exactly is it that you like there? Most of the cute shops that were there for so long are long gone, there are many vacant storefronts and unless one is eating (specifically at Robin's or Linn's (pie!) or the Sea Chest)what is there to do or see?
The beach, of course, is always nice. But the town itself? Am I missing something?
What exactly is it that you like there? Most of the cute shops that were there for so long are long gone, there are many vacant storefronts and unless one is eating (specifically at Robin's or Linn's (pie!) or the Sea Chest)what is there to do or see?
The beach, of course, is always nice. But the town itself? Am I missing something?
Jul 31st, 2014, 03:30 PM
#54
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lynni, it's all preference. I see you live somewhere nearby.
Well, you named three places to EAT.
That’s great but Dining in Cambria is not a big deal for us as we do day trips.
Last Sunday we packed snacks and relaxed at Moonstone Beach after spending the afternoon in the small town of Cambria.
So why do I personally think it’s interesting?
First, it’s a nice change of scenery from the rest of our either sandy or rugged coastline with it's large pine trees. It seems overall more relaxing even when it’s busy. Nothing like Big Sur’s trees but nice and relaxing.
Second, last Sunday things were more bustling but relaxing at the same time(we like people but not crowds) and it seemed every side-street had new small shops opened. These will close after summer tourist season ends. I don’t recall vacant spots on Main Street. Frankly, it was the busiest I’ve seen the town but still not as congested as the sidewalks of Morro Bay. They both have their strong points.
Third, Morro Bay gets more of the kids and Cambria gets more of the couples. That’s just the way they are, nothing wrong with either.
Lastly, (I might think of others)
A couple of our picks would be the Garden Shed on Main Street :
http://cambriagardenshed.com/
and the Antiques On Main which seems to go on forever. We enjoy good antique shops.
http://www.stjosephcayucos.org/OurSp...uesOnMain.html
We ran into some Fresnans (Fresno: HOT city in the valley) at the Garden Shed who were wearing shorts and tees coming out of the 100 plus weather and they were having a ball.
We walked all of Main Street and just found it relaxing. If we had a choice of staying overnight between Morro Bay and Cambria, it would be at the Cambria Pines Inn. We have plenty of beaches.
So the OP knows what restaurants you’re talking about:
Linn’s started in San Luis Obispo and for me was about a 6 or 7 out of 10. More famous for their Ollalieberry rolls and such. By the way, be sure to pick up some ollalieberry preserves. Still one of my favorites and sold in a lot of places.
https://www.linnsfruitbin.com/Linns_Restaurant.html
Robin’s might be worth it, walked by there but have not tried it.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/robins-restaurant-cambria-2
Sea Chest looks cool, I’ll defer to others about quality. Definitely a no-brainer if you’re staying at the beach. (The beach is separated from the small town and nice for strolling and picking up driftwood.)
Every year Cambria Pines does a weekend special that includes dinner, wine and breakfast. Many locals take advantage of that.
Sorry for not pushing the big and fancy restaurants but living nearby doesn’t provide a sense of “we have to do that”. Wine tasting is more serious business!
Last Sunday our first stop was downtown SLO around noon and in the process we stopped at the Habit on Higuera street which does one of the best burgers around. That’s appealing and relaxing to us and provides great people watching. The Habit started in Santa Barbara and is just now opening in several states.
I will admit that on a whim we will drive up to Morro Bay just to grab a hot pastrami sandwich at the Morro Bay Haffbrau. Lean and thick, they are the best outside of New York or Chicago! We also like the garden shop there and will generally leave after that. We will sometimes go the back way out of town back into SLO via Los Osos Valley road which has some great views in the Spring.
Experiencing the area is more about sights. I disagree with others about Pismo Beach, but then I was surfing with long boards here back in the 60’s. They had a Playland which is now parking lot and you could drive your car onto the beach right there. We still go there for sunsets. During the spring when the hills are green, looking south we are reminded of the cliffs in Hawaii that come right down to the ocean. Great sunsets there too.
Most people pass right by Shell Beach (it is tiny) but one of the prettiest spots around. We love eating at a little sidewalk café called Zorro’s on Shell Beach Road. From there, if you look south across the Pismo boardwalk and the Oceano Dunes, the higher tabletop point is the Nipomo Mesa.
Shell Beach and Pismo Beach run together. There is a Vantanas Grill at Shell Beach overlooking the ocean that has great food. We’re all about simplicity and that is what the beaches here are about. Cambria is like that too. I like Morro Bay but don’t get that same feel.
It’s not Huntington, it’s not Newport, and it’s not Santa Monica (beach towns). All that we are grateful for. There are plenty of people who love moving to Pismo Beach and retiring here. There are plenty of people who just move on and we’re grateful for that too.
Well, you named three places to EAT.
That’s great but Dining in Cambria is not a big deal for us as we do day trips. Last Sunday we packed snacks and relaxed at Moonstone Beach after spending the afternoon in the small town of Cambria.
So why do I personally think it’s interesting?
First, it’s a nice change of scenery from the rest of our either sandy or rugged coastline with it's large pine trees. It seems overall more relaxing even when it’s busy. Nothing like Big Sur’s trees but nice and relaxing.
Second, last Sunday things were more bustling but relaxing at the same time(we like people but not crowds) and it seemed every side-street had new small shops opened. These will close after summer tourist season ends. I don’t recall vacant spots on Main Street. Frankly, it was the busiest I’ve seen the town but still not as congested as the sidewalks of Morro Bay. They both have their strong points.
Third, Morro Bay gets more of the kids and Cambria gets more of the couples. That’s just the way they are, nothing wrong with either.
Lastly, (I might think of others)
A couple of our picks would be the Garden Shed on Main Street :
http://cambriagardenshed.com/
and the Antiques On Main which seems to go on forever. We enjoy good antique shops.
http://www.stjosephcayucos.org/OurSp...uesOnMain.html
We ran into some Fresnans (Fresno: HOT city in the valley) at the Garden Shed who were wearing shorts and tees coming out of the 100 plus weather and they were having a ball.
We walked all of Main Street and just found it relaxing. If we had a choice of staying overnight between Morro Bay and Cambria, it would be at the Cambria Pines Inn. We have plenty of beaches.
So the OP knows what restaurants you’re talking about:
Linn’s started in San Luis Obispo and for me was about a 6 or 7 out of 10. More famous for their Ollalieberry rolls and such. By the way, be sure to pick up some ollalieberry preserves. Still one of my favorites and sold in a lot of places.
https://www.linnsfruitbin.com/Linns_Restaurant.html
Robin’s might be worth it, walked by there but have not tried it.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/robins-restaurant-cambria-2
Sea Chest looks cool, I’ll defer to others about quality. Definitely a no-brainer if you’re staying at the beach. (The beach is separated from the small town and nice for strolling and picking up driftwood.)
Every year Cambria Pines does a weekend special that includes dinner, wine and breakfast. Many locals take advantage of that.
Sorry for not pushing the big and fancy restaurants but living nearby doesn’t provide a sense of “we have to do that”. Wine tasting is more serious business!
Last Sunday our first stop was downtown SLO around noon and in the process we stopped at the Habit on Higuera street which does one of the best burgers around. That’s appealing and relaxing to us and provides great people watching. The Habit started in Santa Barbara and is just now opening in several states.
I will admit that on a whim we will drive up to Morro Bay just to grab a hot pastrami sandwich at the Morro Bay Haffbrau. Lean and thick, they are the best outside of New York or Chicago! We also like the garden shop there and will generally leave after that. We will sometimes go the back way out of town back into SLO via Los Osos Valley road which has some great views in the Spring.
Experiencing the area is more about sights. I disagree with others about Pismo Beach, but then I was surfing with long boards here back in the 60’s. They had a Playland which is now parking lot and you could drive your car onto the beach right there. We still go there for sunsets. During the spring when the hills are green, looking south we are reminded of the cliffs in Hawaii that come right down to the ocean. Great sunsets there too.
Most people pass right by Shell Beach (it is tiny) but one of the prettiest spots around. We love eating at a little sidewalk café called Zorro’s on Shell Beach Road. From there, if you look south across the Pismo boardwalk and the Oceano Dunes, the higher tabletop point is the Nipomo Mesa.
Shell Beach and Pismo Beach run together. There is a Vantanas Grill at Shell Beach overlooking the ocean that has great food. We’re all about simplicity and that is what the beaches here are about. Cambria is like that too. I like Morro Bay but don’t get that same feel.
It’s not Huntington, it’s not Newport, and it’s not Santa Monica (beach towns). All that we are grateful for. There are plenty of people who love moving to Pismo Beach and retiring here. There are plenty of people who just move on and we’re grateful for that too.
Jul 31st, 2014, 08:11 PM
#56
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I totally agree with this as well. Pismo up the road (Shell Beach, Avila, etc.) is great. I also love Cambria and agree it is way different than Morro. But, Morro has its own charm. It's a working class town with real people. On the weekends we stay away as it's crowded with the inland crowd (no offense people, just too much for me).
The Central Coast isn't sophisticated or polished, but it's California weather and scenery without California crowds, traffic, or smog. I really should stop typing right now. Do not visit here!
The Central Coast isn't sophisticated or polished, but it's California weather and scenery without California crowds, traffic, or smog. I really should stop typing right now. Do not visit here!
Aug 1st, 2014, 05:00 AM
#59
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Thanks again for all the great tips. On an related note, does anyone know if we can pick up a cab at the rental car location at SFO or do we need to get back to the terminal for a cab?
Aug 1st, 2014, 11:21 PM
#60
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Can't speak to the cabbie situation but guess where I've been the last two evenings. Atascadery! Whoda thunk?!
Had a last minute urgent reason to head to Fresno Thursday evening (yikes!)and passed through Atascadero around 7pm. It was a very mild 81 degrees. Just one hour east on the 46 at 8pm it was 103.
Today in Fresno it was 108! Nice and toasty! But it's a dry heat right? The humidity was about 85% as they just had a freak rain the day before. For one day I didn't feel overly affected but was in air-conditioned surroundings.
On our return this evening we stopped in Paso around 9:30pm and it was an extremely nice 73 degrees. When we got to the mesa around 10:30pm it was a nice and cool 63 degrees with a slight marine layer and some humidity. It feels great to revert to no A/C and sleeping with the slider partly open. It feels a bit warmer then sleeping with the A/C on in Fresno.
Had a last minute urgent reason to head to Fresno Thursday evening (yikes!)and passed through Atascadero around 7pm. It was a very mild 81 degrees. Just one hour east on the 46 at 8pm it was 103.
Today in Fresno it was 108! Nice and toasty! But it's a dry heat right? The humidity was about 85% as they just had a freak rain the day before. For one day I didn't feel overly affected but was in air-conditioned surroundings.
On our return this evening we stopped in Paso around 9:30pm and it was an extremely nice 73 degrees. When we got to the mesa around 10:30pm it was a nice and cool 63 degrees with a slight marine layer and some humidity. It feels great to revert to no A/C and sleeping with the slider partly open. It feels a bit warmer then sleeping with the A/C on in Fresno.
